Welcome to the 5th Annual Canadian Muslim Forum Banquet. We are pleased to celebrate this important milestone with all of you – our friends, supporters and volunteers. The Canadian Muslim Form was established almost two decades ago. During that time it built its reputation thanks to the hard work of community volunteers, a steadfast focus on civil liberties, human rights, equality, inclusion and integration of all citizens and an unwavering commitment to advocacy.

Diversity forms the foundation of our social structure and traces its roots to the establishment of the Canadian federation. The founders of the Canadian federation realized that the secret recipe of state building was inclusion and integration of all people of Canada irrespective of their religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. Inclusion and integration brings all citizens and residents together in social harmony, equal opportunity and economic prosperity.

We can trace back the presence and contribution of Canadian Muslims in Canada as far as 1871. Since then and until this very day, Canadian Muslim men, women and youth, have been contributing in building and shaping our country, through business, trading, economy, politics, journalism, art, teaching and much more. For the flourishing of a healthy and fair society, it’s essential to not only recognize the participation of Canadian Muslims but to also include them in all kind of decision makings, to take their opinions into consideration and to listen to their voice, concerns, fears, hopes, dreams and projects.

Diversity and inclusion is what makes this country and this city in particular such a wonderful place to live in. Look around you at the beauty of the different faces that come together, hand in hand, without fear or barriers, without prejudice or racism to shape a society where we all share the same Canadian values and morals. For a better tomorrow, where our children will prosper in a society that values and teaches; Humanity, respect, equality, justice, peace and love to the one and only race, Human race!

The Canadian Muslim Forum takes this opportunity to call on civic society, political leaders, human rights activists and other persons of influence to do their part to create an environment of inclusion of all Canadian residents. The Canadian Muslim Forum further calls on community leaders to take concrete steps toward realizing the goal of granting to all citizens equal opportunities.